1John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
inclosed is a Letter from Capt n. Brown who commands the best Packet between Providence and this Place.— He called very politely and respectfully to offer his service in bringing you to New York.— if you can let him know the time when you can come, he will be ready. I have taken an House: but have nothing to put in it, [no]r to live on.— nothing is yet determined, I never felt so [ir]resolute...
2To John Adams from Jabez Bowen, 19 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
On the 6 th. of this Month was held our General Election for Officers for the Ensuing Year; they are nearly the same as the last, saving a few more Federal Charecters in the Lower-house. Their was Instructions from the Towns of Newport & Providence to their Deputies to use their Influence for a State Convention the Business was taken up, but we soon found Their was no probability of succeding,...
3To John Adams from William Smith, 19 May 1789 (Adams Papers)
As the Revenue Act has past the House & it is probable may now be before the Senate, I will take the freedom to hint to you the uneasiness that prevails here respecting the duty of 5 Cents fixed on Molasses, without permitting a drawback on the Rum exported to foreign Markets. 6 to 7000 Hh ds of Rum are exported from this State annually to foreign ports, & the quantity is encreasing, as New...
4To James Madison from Edmund Randolph, 19 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
While I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 10th. instant, I must assign as my apology for forgetting to answer the legal question, that a variety of family sickness has taken away a cool attention to business. The deed, to which the inclosed memorandum relates was executed in France. The following extract from a law of the revised code, intituled an act for regulating conveyances,...
5To James Madison from Hugh Williamson, 19 May 1789 (Madison Papers)
At Baltimore & Norfolk and wherever I touched since I left New York I have heard Complaints that Molasses was to be taxed six Cents. This is what I did not expect in southern States, but they say that Molasses is a necessary Part of food for the Poor. In Virginia the Complaints I have heard are very loud that the Vessels of Foreigners not treating are only taxed 50 Cents. This trifling Tax...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 19 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Feb. 16 to Apr. 13. of May 3. and 10. are received, and the two last are sent to Mr. Leroy who will communicate them to the academy. You know that the States general are met and probably have seen the speeches at the opening of them. The three orders sit in distinct chambers. The great question whether they shall vote by orders or persons can never be surmounted amicably. It has...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 19 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. inst. is duly received. I am in hourly expectation of receiving letters permitting me to go to America for a few months, and shall leave Paris within a very few days after I shall have received them. As this is probably the last letter I can have the honour of writing you before my return, I will do myself the pleasure of putting you into possession of the state of...
8To George Washington from the Cherokee Chiefs, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
At a Great Talk held by the Warriors and Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation Assembled in Council at the Great and beloved town of Chota, the 19th day of May 1789 addressed to his Excellency the President of the United States. Great Brother: The Great Being above has directed our hearts to listen to the talks of peace, and sorry that ever any misunderstanding arose between us and our white brothers...
9To George Washington from Benjamin Pitfield, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
The Petition of Benjamin Pitfield, of the City of Philadelphia, humbly Sheweth. That your Excellencies Petitioner hath been very unfortunate in Trade for some Years past, and by a series of unavoidable Losses, is now reduced to a State of Indigence, and not Able to Support his Family; unless he can Obtain some Assistance, he therefore is Emboldened to Apply to your Excellencies well known...
10To George Washington from Nathaniel F. Fosdick, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Having been Naval Officer for this Port (being the Port of Falmouth) for this some time past, I take the Liberty to address your Excellency, requesting a continuation in the office under the New Government, & beg leave to refer your Excellency to the Honble Genl Knox & the Honble George Thatcher Esqrs. for proof of Character. I am Sir with the greatest respect your Excellency most Obedient &...
11To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I intended to have done myself the honor of waiting on you this evening but the dampness of the weather prevents my going abroad I therefore take the liberty of enclosing my opinion on the paragraph in the constitution which you were pleased to mention; the result of my conference with Mr Jay on the subject of sea letters; and the lights I have received by examining the laws of Pensylvania and...
12To George Washington from Moustier, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Peculiar circumstances require peculiar measures. It was on this principle that I conceived there was no impropriety in soliciting an audience which seem’d to me, not only convenient but necessary to pave the way to the future management of business between the two nations. As by the transformation of the Federal Government of the United states the establish’d forms have ceased, the first...
13To George Washington from the Cherokee Nation, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
We the Warriors, Chiefs and Representatives of the Cherokee nation resident and living in the following towns of Chota, Toquoh, Cettico, Little Telliquo Tumotly, Nioh or the Tassels’ town, Coettee, Chilhowah Tallassee, Great Telliquoh, Big Highwassa, Cheestowa, Eastanora Chatanugah, Chickamaugah, Stickoe, Ottilletaraconahah, Catatogah, Nicojackee, Tuskeegah, and Cheescheehah, our said towns...
14To George Washington from Robert Purviance, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
Compel’d from Necessity & encouraged by the Friendly interposition of my worthy Friend and Neighbour Dr James McHenry, with the Unanimous voice of my fellow Citizens, I am come forward with the Crowd to offer my self & Nephew, John H. Purviance for two of the New Appointments that will, I presume take place under the Federal Government, in our Naval department for the Port of Baltimore, Or My...
15To George Washington from Arthur Young, 19 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I should long since have acknowledged the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter but I waited from time to time in expectation of some curious seeds which I hoped to be able to send, but being disappointed repeatedly I postpone no longer the pleasure of thanking you with great sincerity for the confidence you honour me with in relation to publishing extracts from your letters. I dare not presume...
16Removal Power of the President, [19 May] 1789 (Madison Papers)
The House took up the establishment of executive departments. JM moved the creation of foreign affairs, treasury, and war departments. The debate centered on the clause vesting in the president alone the power to remove the officers heading these departments. Smith (South Carolina) contended that impeachment was the only constitutional means of removal. Mr. Madison Did not concur with the...